Perfect Pair is an organization present at over 20 different colleges around the United States. It was originally founded by a University of Michigan alum who grew up accompanying her mom to work at an assisted living home. After doing some research, she discovered that fifty percent of people over the age of 60 are at risk of social isolation. To combat this, she created Perfect Pair, an organization dedicated to fostering one-on-one relationships between college students and nursing home residents.Â
The process to join is easy! After meeting their eligibility requirements, which include completing training modules and making a small donation of $5, you fill out a form in which you list facts about yourself, including interests and personality traits. The Perfect Pair matching team works hard to find a resident that you share commonalities with.Â
Once members are matched with a senior, they meet with them once a week to participate in different activities, share stories, and build meaningful connections. Â
I have been lucky enough to find my own “perfect pair.” Every week I visit Judy, a nursing home resident in the Ann Arbor area. During Judy and I’s weekly meetings, we take part in a variety of activities. Judy is a very skilled card player, so rummy is one of our favorite activities to do during our time together. And, of course, Judy taught me to play! We also enjoy playing UNO, painting, solving puzzles, and chatting. She has countless stories filled with wisdom and joy, making our time together truly special.
Meeting with Judy is the highlight of my week and provides a refreshing break from my other responsibilities.Â
I highly encourage you to consider joining a club like Perfect Pair! Check out their website: https://www.perfectpair.org/about-us.